Facing a major challenge

The Bucks are playing a tough back-to-back set, facing the New Orleans Hornets on the road this afternoon and the Phoenix Suns at home on Tuesday night.

A total of 13 NBA games are being played today, including nine matinee games as part of the league's Martin Luther King Day celebration.

The Suns (29-12) will begin a four-game, six-day road trip on Tuesday in Milwaukee, and former University of Wisconsin star Alando Tucker will be with Phoenix after being recalled from the Albuquerque Thunderbirds of the NBA Development League.

In his second stint with the Thunderbirds since being assigned on Jan. 10, Tucker averaged 25.3 points and 6.7 rebounds in six games.

Tucker, the 29th overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft, has played in just five games with the Suns this season (2.4 points per game).

The Suns have held four consecutive opponents to fewer than 100 points as they have grabbed the top record in the Western Conference.

The Hornets (27-12) have won 12 of their last 14 games behind the play of point guard Chris Paul, center Tyson Chandler and small forward David West.

Bucks forward Bobby Simmons is active for the game in New Orleans today after missing the team's 119-99 loss to Golden State on Saturday, due to neck stiffness. Royal Ivey will stay in the starting lineup for the third straight game and the seventh time this month.

The Bucks are playing at New Orleans Arena for the first time since March 12, 2005, when they suffered a 111-107 defeat. During the past two seasons the Bucks played the Hornets in Oklahoma City and lost both road games (94-93 and 109-101 in double overtime).